Current affairs notes on December 6 - 8

 1.The Hampi chariot is one among the three famous stone chariots in India, the other two being in Konark, Odisha, and Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. It was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar.It was a part of the Mauryan Empire back in the third century BC. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. NGT seeks action plan on elephant corridors: Necessary legal action against encroachers and those violating the Provisions of the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and the Indian Forest Act 1927 in the proposed corridors. ‘Gaj Yatra’, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants, was launched on the occasion of World Elephant Day in 2017. Project elephant was launched on 1992. Elephant is included in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I,IUCN Red List: Endangered category. Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme in 2003.

3. Himachal Pradesh wants GI status for five products: These include- Karsog Kulth, Thangi of Pangi, Chamba Metal Crafts, Chamba Chukh, and Rajmah of Bharmour. A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

4. On December 6, the country observed Mahaparinirvan Diwas, which marks the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

5. China successfully powered up its “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor (HL-2M Tokamak reactor) for the first time marking a great advance in the country’s nuclear power research capabilities.

6. National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited will be adopting Light Detection and Ranging Survey (LiDAR) technique using Laser enabled equipment mounted on a Helicopter for conducting ground survey for the preparation of Detailed Project Report for the proposed Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor. LiDAR, It is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth.

7. Ramnagar Forest Division in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, recently built its first eco-bridge for reptiles and smaller mammals. Eco-bridges ,They enhance wildlife connectivity that can be disrupted because of highways or logging.

8. The Uttar Pradesh government has recently embarked upon a scheme to take the unique culture of its ethnic Tharu tribe across the world.

9. The Vadhavan port in Maharastra will be India’s 13th major port. It has been planned as an ‘All Weather, All Cargo’ satellite port to enhance capabilities in handling deep draft ships and larger vessels. The port project is part of the Centre’s Sagarmala initiative.

10. After Sikkim, Lakshadweep is the first Union Territory to become 100 per cent organic as all farming is carried out without the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, providing access to safer food choices and making agriculture a more environment-friendly activity.

11. Bangladesh signed its first Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA):This is the first PTA Bangladesh has signed with any country in the world. In 1971, Bhutan was the first country in the world, followed by India as the second, to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country.

12. The United Nations (UNCTAD) has declared Invest India- the National Investment Promotion Agency of India- as a winner of the 2020 United Nations Investment Promotion Award. Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report are published by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).

Thank You.